CinemaCon: Sony Goes Big With ‘Grown Ups 2,’ ‘End’

Studio showcases almost 45 minutes of 2013 slate

Sony took its turn to tubthump its 2013 slate Wednesday night at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, with a lively surprise appearance from “Grown Ups 2” cast members Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Salma Hayek and David Spade.

“We’re really excited and thankful to Sony for letting us make ‘Grown Ups 2,’” Sandler said. “But it’s not all about ‘Grown Ups 2.’ I know you overseas people are fucking excited about ‘Smurfs 2.’”

The cast was carried onto the stage of the Colosseum in chariots by Caesar dress-alikes. “I want to check in on the chariot carriers to make sure they didn’t blow out a knee,” James joked.

Studio distribution exec Rory Bruer introduced the group, and afterwards said, “That’s better than getting peed on by a bear any day,” referring to what happened to him last year while introducing the product reel.

Sony screened roughly 45 minutes of footage from its entire 2013 slate, including summer releases “Grown Ups 2,” “After Earth,” “Elysium” and “Smurfs 2.” The studio also featured some of its fall titles such as “Captain Phillips,” “The Monuments Men” and MGM co-production “Carrie.”

The studio clearly is high (yes, pun intended) on the outrageous summer comedy “This Is the End,” which rounded out the reel with extended footage.

Sony hosted a cocktail reception prior to its presentation in the Colosseum lobby decked out in company colors, blue and white.